Brain Training meets Guitar Hero in Rhythm 'n Notes on DS

So the race is on. Following the huge success on the home consoles of Guitar Hero, what will be the first DIY music package to make it big on DS in the West?

We've already had the arty approach with Nintendo's lovely Electroplankton, though that didn't get far up the charts. Now Ubisoft's got Jam Sessions primed for September release, while Activision has a DS version of Guitar Hero III due in early 2008.

But will niche US publisher Agetec steal a chord on the competition with Rhythm 'n Notes?

The first thing to note about the game – developed in conjunction with the Japanese IE Institute – is that it possesses a strong education angle. The gameplay, which covers piano and drum-based exercises, is designed to teach you the fundamentals of music composition rather than how to rock out.

Tasks include recognising individual notes as well as complex chords, and you get to play along using a mini-keyboard displayed on the touchscreen. Similarly, the rhythm exercises will have you tapping along in time with your stylus on the touchscreen drums. You'll also have to get to grips with off-beats and other advanced patterns.

There's an open practice mode, too, which enables you to play around with the notes and chords you've learnt about.

Due to hit US retailers in the autumn, there's no publisher or release date yet confirmed for the European leg of Rhythm 'n Notes' musical tour. Click 'Track It!' to become a groupie.